In the Dark

In the Dark by Carole Poustie (Celapene Press) PB RRP $16.95
ISBN 9781925572001

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Ish is a thirteen year old boy who spends his summer holidays with his mum and sister at his gran’s house ‘up near the Murray [his] favourite place in the world’. He and his older sister, Molly, have also planned to spend a week of their holidays with their father, who moved to Sydney after separating from their mother.

Ish’s plan of fishing every day on the Murray, with his dog Lucky, comes to an abrupt end shortly after arriving. He and his sister become grounded, after a careless accident, and must spend most of their days at the house. Soon after being grounded Ish finds himself in hot water again when he enters his gran’s forbidden old cellar and comes across a letter. The letter is not addressed to him, however, he chooses to open it and the contents immediately changes his world.

It seems that their parent’s separation has put a strain on everyone’s relationship. Molly is rude and disrespectful and has trouble relating to anyone. Ish is resentful towards his dad for moving away. The children’s mother and their gran also have trouble connecting at times. Will time with their father in Sydney help smooth things out? Or will the letter Ish found change relationships forever?

In the Dark is a middle fiction novel suited to those who like drama and suspense. It has themes of family, friendship, loss and dishonesty. The story is written in the first person by Ish, a nickname given to him at birth. Throughout the story Ish writes poetry, a passion he shared with his late grandfather. Not only does he use it as a way of expressing himself but it is also a way of keeping a beautiful connection to his grandfather. In the Dark is Carole’s second novel for children.

On the River by Roland Harvey (Allen & Unwin) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781760112455

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

With a sub-title, ‘Come with me from the mountains to the sea’, this picture book for children aged 5 to 10 years, is another offering from talented Australian Harvey who has already produced the bestselling At the Beach series which also include On the Farm and In the City – now seven hardback titles.

This latest book’s fly pages are filled with valuable information showing maps of Victoria and surrounding states, with place locations and detailed labelling and short stories relating to them. For instance, the entry for Jeralderie (Victoria) says, ‘Nothing to do with the Murray except that New Kelly crossed it all the way here to rob the town. Also the birthplace of Rosalie Ham, author of The Dressmaker, a novel and major film.’ There are easily hours of reading and site-finding on these opening pages before one even reads the rest of the book!

A talented line and light watercolour wash illustrator, Harvey has cleverly ‘hidden’ himself in each of the pages that follow. The story starts with a four paragraphs of text which locate the story at the headwaters of the Murray River where ‘this story begins.’ The headway of the river is at a place called Cowombat Flat. The reader then follows the Murray with stories told of events which happened at various down-river sites. Here’s where you’ll read of Banjo Paterson as travellers move eventually into Lake Hume (which holds six times as much water as Sydney Harbour). All of Harvey’s pages are filled with detailed illustrations showing people, animals, boats (such as paddle-steamers and house-boats), and more as the Murray is explored. Finally, after many kilometres, the 'river's waters open to the sea.'

There is so much to read here, both in words and visuals, that this is a book which will reward (adults and children) the reading countless hours of learning and enjoyment. Highly recommended.

As I Grew Older

As I Grew Older written and illustrated by Ian Abdulla (Working Title Press)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781921504693

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

  

Subtitled ‘The life and times of a Nunga growing up along the Murray River.’

With Ian Abdulla’s bright and naïve pictures, this is a history of a Nunga (Aboriginal) family living by the Murray River in the 1950’s and 1960’s. During this time there were very little opportunities for employment for Aborigines, and to survive, most families turned to the ways of their ancestors.

Abdulla describes with honesty everyday moments living on the land by the Murray River entailed such as buying sheep heads to eat, picking grapes to make some extra money, as well as hunting swan eggs to eat and catching rats to sell for their skins. It is a lost time, an important part of not only Australia’s social history but that of the Aboriginal people. 

Abdulla is sometimes described as one of the Australia’s greatest naïve artists, and his artwork helps to bring alive these childhood memories that to the majority of us are totally foreign. Ideal for middle and older primary children, wanting to know about the Aboriginal experience as well as that of Australia’s social history.